Wanda strolled into the museum in broad daylight, peering at the exhibits with limited interest. History, art, and science never really interested her, since it never documented the really important things… like mutants and powers. Without all the facts, what was the use of all this razzmatazz if it didn't even mention mutants?

Oh, well. It would just all have to go. Wanda reeled up a good blast, and made a crater in the centerpiece. That should be enough to get the attention of every guard in the place. Enough to distract them just long enough anyway…

-

Rogue somehow felt right at home on this heist, as she and her friends walked casually through the halls together. Dazzler blew every light that followed them, making it glow so bright there was no way the security cameras could see anything. They left her behind as Shadowcat grabbed a hold of both Jean and Rogue and went through the wall.

There it was, in it's big glass case, in all its green glory. The Jade's Eye Emerald. Rogue tapped a leftover security guard with her bared finger, while Jean disabled the mind of the other.

"The laser sensors will probably still sense your movement even when your phasing, Kitty," Jean guessed.

"Not if you lifted her above it," Rogue suggested.

Kitty frowned.

"I don't really like heights…"

"Just do it," Rogue replied impatiently.

-

"Get down!" a security guard shouted to the frightened civilians as Wanda wound up another blast. She had them on the run now… She couldn't stay for much longer. No doubt the police would be here any minute, or worse… the other X-Men. Her part was done. She tipped her hat to the lot of them, and took her leave out the door.

Only to be greeted by Cyclops, Nightcrawler, and Iceman.

"Out of my way," Wanda commanded them, shoving them aside with a gentle blast. "This doesn't concern you."

"Who does it concern?" Cyclops asked with confusion. "Are you helping someone?"

The Scarlet Witch, of course, didn't answer. Cyclops quirked an eyebrow, watching her walk off. He looked at the museum, then decided to let it alone. Now was probably not the best time to catch on.

-

Kitty controlled her breathing as she was lowered over the glass case, very careful to avoid the laser beams that protected the jewel. She phased through the doubled-paned glass, through the protective center box and through the display case. They really didn't want this thing to be stolen. Very quickly she nabbed it, then held it close, as Jean gently lifted her out.

"Home free, ya'll!" Rogue shouted happily, as Kitty tossed the jewel to her, and Rogue placed it in a special black pouch for safekeeping.

"Not quite," said a voice from the hall. Three men stood with sneak suits much like the ones the girls wore themselves, and gear at the ready. These were the men Gambit had been talking about. They were here to steal the jewel.

"Hand over the gem," the one in front commanded. "Nice and easy."

"We do all this planning and work just to give it up to you clowns?" Kitty snorted, then purposely reached out and tripped an alarm. "Think again!"

Kitty grabbed an arm off of each of her teammates and together they phased through the floor, leaving those thieves behind to take the blame.

-

"That was brilliant!" Kitty squealed as they parked the SUV in an abandoned parking lot. They had agreed to meet Gambit here, but apparently he was late. Rogue pulled out the goods, staring at the magnificent oval jewel incredulously.

"It's so perfect," Rogue sighed. "What a thrill that heist was."

"I know, right?" Kitty clapped excitedly.

"One we are not doing ever again," Jean said. "We cut it close with those guys. We just borrowed it long enough to keep it away from the real thieves. Those 'friends of Gambit's'. Where is Gambit anyway?"

"Maybe he forgot," Dazzler offered. "So we should probably just keep it."

No one payed her any regard, seeing as they figured she wasn't serious. They were quickly distracted anyway by a distant drum of a motorcycle, heard coming from far away and only getting closer. Soon, all four girls could see a trench-coated figure riding a black motorcycle and turning into the driveway to their very parking lot.

Gambit slowed to a stop and turned off the engine of his bike. He took off his helmet and swung a leg off to dismount off. He spared no time in getting down to business.

"Ya get it?" he asked immediately. Rogue stepped forward with the jewel. Gambit took it from her slowly, and leaned close to take a better look.

"Beautiful…" Gambit admired, and he winked, purposefully telling Rogue he wasn't talking about the gem. Rogue rolled her eyes and let him bag up the jewel once more.

"Now, you've gals done enough work fo' one day," Gambit said. "Allow me to be da Good Samaritan and take it on back fo' ya."

"Like we weren't onto your plan from the beginning," Jean smirked, yanking the jewel away from his grasp with her telekinesis. "We do all the work, then just hand it over to you to keep for yourself, without having to run into your old friends… or should I say, rivals? An almost perfect plan, pulled on any other chump."

Gambit grinned, then reached out and touched the jewel as it floated before him.

"Well, den ya should've guessed I had a Plan B," he said, as the jewel charged and glowed. "If I don't get it, den no one does. I'm a little stingy that way."

Dazzler frowned, Kitty pouted, Rogue crossed her arms and glared while Jean just sighed deeply. She had no choice but to lower the jewel back into Gambit's hands.

"Pleasure doing business," Gambit said, hopping back onto his bike. He winked at Rogue.

"I'll be waiting fo' that second date."

"Yer gonna be waiting a long time, Gumbo," Rogue scowled.

-

The next day, Jean put away her Siren's costume back on the shelf of her closet, hopefully this time for good. No more vigilante activities that turn into crimes. No more. As she closed the door of her room behind herself, she found Scott already standing there waiting for her.

"I was planning another apology speech," he confessed quickly. Jean crossed her arms.

"Let's hear it," she encouraged him onward.

"I'm sorry for being a jerk and for once again not respecting you as an equal. I was always brought up where the guys take care of the girls. I just have to realize that sometimes the girls may want to take care of themselves."

Jean smiled and reached for his hand. She squeezed it gently.

"Good speech."

Scott sighed in relief, then made his way off. Jean cocked her head at him, wondering if he had suspected or even knew about the return of the Sirens, and had just been ignoring it all along. Either way, it didn't matter now. She shrugged it off and made her way to the kitchen to get a bite to eat, finding Rogue there already.

"Look at this," she told Jean, directing her gaze to the TV. It was the news, showing the usual female reporter in a gray suit. Rogue turned it up to be sure to catch every word.

"The jewel thieves recovered last night still face jailtime for their actions, but up until a few hours ago the whereabouts of the Jade's Eye Emerald were unknown. Then this morning officials say the same jewel was sold back to them for a fraction of the price it is worth. Whether this anonymous seller was working with the thieves or not still remains to be seen."

"Well, I'll be," Jean grinned. "He really was the Good Samaritan after all."

"Or just a really big sucker," Remy himself said, leaning against the frame of the kitchen doorway. "Why else would I sell back a priceless jewel for five hundred grand, eh? Blast my honest streak."

"What are you doin' here?" Rogue stood up on her feet, ready to pound his head in.

"Oh, didn't ya hear?" Gambit said, straightening up. "Oh, right, you missed the meeting. Well... Gambit has decided to stay here indefinitely, Chere."

Rogue's mouth dropped, as did Jean's.

"What?" Jean spat out. "Why in the world would you want to live here?"

"I can think of a few reasons to hang around," he smirked, tossing the small black pouch Rogue had wrapped the jewel in the night before. It was now empty, of course. Rogue caught it as it came her way, staring in awe and not knowing what to think.

Yet, as much as she fought it, she could help but smirk in amusement. This should be interesting.

-

END

-

Look out for episode 2! Please review.
Signed,
--RedRogue